Swifts to celebrate 100-year history

COLIN MacGILLIVRAY18 Jun 2014, 1 a.m.

SWIFTS will commemorate a 100-year history full of ups and downs at its official milestone celebration on Saturday.

100 YEARS OF HISTORY: Swifts captain Scott Carey, left, and team-mate Josh Newton model special 100-year anniversary jumpers that will be worn against Rupanyup on Saturday. The club will host a post-match function at Stawell Entertainment Centre to commemorate the milestone. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Swifts to celebrate 100-year history

Three ‘teams of the era’ will be named – one for each of Swifts’ stints in the South Wimmera Football League, 1930-1969, Ararat and District Football Association, 1970-1999, and Horsham District Football Netball League, 2000 onwards.

The night will also serve as a reunion for the 1994 seniors and reserves and 2004 reserves premiership sides.

President Robert Carey said the club expected former players to converge on Stawell from across Australia for the function.

“The night is booked out, but I don’t think we’ll have to turn anyone away – it just means we’ll be a little tight for room,” he said.

“We’re expecting in excess of 350 people at the function and it will be interesting to see how many come to watch the game.

“We’ve got one person coming from Western Australia, another from the NSW-Queensland border, plus many others from across Victoria.”

“It’s quite amazing – the club has definitely struggled over the 100 years, but we’ve seen certain people who kept it going.” - Swifts president Robert Carey

Mr Carey said the club had dealt with tough times and success, but always came through because of the dedication of its leaders.

“It’s quite amazing – the club has definitely struggled over the 100 years, but we’ve seen certain people who kept it going,” he said.

“One person who comes to mind is Charlie Farrer, who is one of the earlier legends of the club.

"Any time you talk to the older blokes, it’s Charlie Farrer who held the club together.”

Mr Carey said the celebrations would mark the culmination of years of hard work by the club and fellow organisers Trevor Skurrie, Chris Folkes and Ian O’Donnell.

He said Swifts had put great effort into making sure the day was a success.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure we were going to have a reasonably successful year,” he said.

“We made sure we have improved the club over the past few years with lights and an extension to the netball area, and we’re looking at putting an extension on our clubrooms later this year.”

It will be a special day for club veteran Jamie Britten, who plays his 400th district league game.

Mr Carey said people could call him on 0400 581 937 for more information.